Tour de France 2021 Open House at St Emilion – portes ouvertes

Venez nous voir cette semaine tous les jours du 14 au 18 juillet (de 10 à 19 heures chaque jour) pour célébrer le Tour de France à St Emilion. Franck Moureau, vigneron et propriétaire de la 9ème génération du Château Béard la Chapelle sera présent avec Nicolle Croft auteur et dégustateur professionnel, pour répondre à …

Whats new in Bordeaux – look to the dynamic Small Châteaux

Despite its crusty past image, Bordeaux today is full of fresh ideas as a younger generation are holding the reins and directing the wines made in Bordeaux in a different direction. It is the small independent producers (who I call the SIPs - see my book Bordeaux Sip by Sip Editions Sud Ouest) who are …

Moulis, neighbour of Margaux – great go-to for value

Just take a right turn off the Route des Châteaux (the D2) once you have passed through the famous wine village of Margaux. With its undulating vineyard clad hills and forests this little enclave of 600 hectares (one of Bordeaux's smallest) with only 35 producers is worth the small detour. There's a cute little maison …

If I could choose anywhere I could make wine….

"From generation to generation for over 200 years, in what is the very centre of St Emilion, my family has cultivated these soils and tended our vines. Today it is my turn and I try to make a wine that comes from my heart. Having now my own young son, who represents the 10th generation, …

Châteaux in Bordeaux open their doors again for visits

Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, is open again for visitors after two months of shutdown. It is possible again to visit some of the most famous and smaller châteaux in the Bordeaux wine region on the Right and Left bank - in private tours (even some at the weekends). The first to communicate …

Finding St Emilion’s Hidden treasures (even without a Name)

Not far from St Emilion, one of the France's most well-known wine villages, lies a simple family winery that has withstood the test of time. Leaving the village and passing infront of the prestigious classified Château Pavie, then Larcis Ducass and Bellefont Belcier, take the next on the right at the crossroads - its the …

Biodynamics in the shade of a big Elm Tree in Castillon

It's a very wet spring and early summer for the 2018 vintage and the mildew that everyone is suffering from is even heavier in properties that are biodynamic with their only defence copper and sulphate (allowed as they are 'natural' but in tiny doses) and infusions of nettle and Horsetail. Cellar master/vineyard manager Nicolas Cosse …

Delivery Direct from the Vineyards of Bordeaux

SIP WINE CLUB Small Independent Producers Direct from them to you Here are four unknown wine discoveries that are totally SIP. Made uniquely by passionate producers from their own small independent family properties. Delivered direct to your doorstep cutting out any middle men. Authentic wines with their own particular story, the true wines of Bordeaux …

Finding Bordeaux wines that don’t break the bank – my top choices

* Bordeaux is the home of some of the world's most expensive wines. There are only 200 of these classified wines in Bordeaux out of 8000. They are in high demand and their prices have gone up 5 times in 5 years. We seem to have lost sense of reality. If you know where to …

The Secret Side of St Emilion

Discovering the Real St Emilion - the Secret ‘in-side’ of a wine village By Nicolle Croft (first published in the Gilbert & Gaillard International Magazine) St Emilion is probably one of the most well-known wines in the world. Registered by UNESCO since 1999 as one of the World’s heritage sites, the medieval village which lies …